AU2015201083A1 - Frame System - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed is a frame member for installing sliding doors or windows, the frame member comprising a base member, the base member including one or more drain holes extending through the base member, one or more longitudinal runners extending upwardly from the base member, and a sub-seal positioned below the base member, such that water running through the drain holes into the sub-seal, the sub-seal having one or more drain holes allowing water to drain from the sub-seal.

Description

1 Frame System Technical Field The disclosure relates broadly to window and door framing systems and, in particular, to framing systems for use with sliding windows or doors. The invention will hereinafter be described with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field. Background to the Disclosure In the art of sliding doors, there is a continuing need for improvement in the door's support structure, including the frame element which acts to support one or more sliding door panels. The frame element may be intended to provide not only support for sliding door or window panels but also noise and air resistance to provide for a comfortable living arrangement interior to the door or window. Therefore a frame may be required to limit air penetration and noise penetration of the door or window as a whole. Further, the frame members may be required to provide water resistance so that the interior of the sliding doors and windows does not get flooded in rain conditions. Summary of the Invention Disclosed is a frame member for installing sliding doors or windows, the frame member comprising a base member, the base member including one or more drain holes extending through the base member, one or more longitudinal runners extending upwardly from the base member, and a sub-seal positioned below the base member, such that water running through the drain holes drains into the sub-seal, the sub-seal having one or more drain holes allowing water to drain from the sub-seal. In one form each of the one or more longitudinal runners is raised by being positioned on a neck extending upwardly from the base member. In one form the neck includes neck drain holes. In one form the sub-seal is integral to the frame member. In one form the longitudinal runners include a rail adapted to allow a running wheel to run thereon, the rail being removable from the longitudinal runner. In a second aspect, disclosed is a frame system comprising a frame member for installing sliding doors or windows, the frame member comprising a base member, the base member including one or more drain holes extending through the base member, one or more longitudinal runners extending upwardly from the base member, and a sub-seal positioned below the base member, such that water running through the drain holes drains into the sub-seal, the sub-seal having one or more drain holes allowing water to drain from the sub-seal and a sash adapted to retain a door or window panel 2 and to cooperate with the runner so as to allow the panel to slide longitudinally along the runner. Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the frame member; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the frame member of Figure 1 in use with a sliding door or window panel; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a joining sash of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sash as shown in Figure 2 in use with a glass panel; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an interlocking sash of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a frame member of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment. Detailed Description of Embodiments Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a frame element 1 is disclosed. The frame element 1 is adapted for installing sliding door or window panels in a building or other structure. The frame member comprises a base member 2 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal movement of the sliding door or window panels. The base member 2 includes draining holes 3 which are adapted to allow water there through. Longitudinal runners 5 extend upwardly from the base member 2. The runners 5 are raised by means of a neck extension 6 extending upwardly from the base member 2. Each neck extension 6 includes draining holes 7 which are adapted to allow water there through. The neck extension 7 prime closest to the interior of the building does not include drain holes meaning that water is trapped before the final neck extension 7 prime to limit water from moving into the interior of the building. A plastic corner (not illustrated) can be inserted onto the base member 2 when joining the frame at a corner. This provides an additional seal against air, water and noise penetration and provides balance for the corners. Runners 5 include a screw cavity 8 which allows a screw to be inserted into the runner without damage to the runner 5. Runner 5 is adapted to be attached with sash 10 as shown in Figure 2. Sash 10 is adapted to connect a window panel (not illustrated) or door panel (not illustrated) 3 with the runner 5 of the present invention. Sash 10 includes a ball bearing running wheel (not illustrated) which is adapted to cooperate with the upper surface of runner 5. The running wheel includes a curved surface which allows the running wheel to run smoothly on the curved upper surface of runner 5. The running wheel is designed to be wide, for example the running wheel is greater than 10mm wide which reduces the noise made by the runner wheel when opening or closing the door. Sash 10 further includes a brush (not illustrated) which interacts with rippled runner section 9 to provide protection against noise, wind and water in use. The rippled or corrugated surface of the runner edge 9 achieves optimum adhesion and limits the water, air and noise movement into the interior of the room. Runner 5 is designed to carry loads of up to 200kg (in 10 cm 2 or 100 mm in length) per 100mm without distortion. Runner 5 further includes wave profile edge 9 which acts to limit water, wind and noise movement over the runners and instead encourage water, wind and noise movement through the drain holes 7 in the neck extension and 3 in the base member of the frame system. A sub-seal 15 is positioned below the base member 2 such that water running through drain holes 3 drains into the interior 16 of sub-seal 15. Sub-seal 15 is incorporated into and integral to the frame member 1. Interior walls 17 of sub-seal 15 include drain holes 18 extending between the interior sections 16 of the sub-seal 15. The drain holes are included only in the outermost or in several outermost sections. This allows for water which has drained through drain holes 3 into the interior 16 of sub-seal 15 to move through drain holes 18 and outside the frame system. The sub seal 15 further includes sloped section 19 which is adapted to encourage the movement of water captured within the sub-seal through drain holes 18 and outside. Rubber seal fixings 20 extend downwardly from sub-seal 15 and are adapted to incorporate a rubber seal for positioning of the frame against a floor or wall and discouraging noise, water and wind penetration of the frame. An additional brush (not illustrated) is incorporated to further discourage noise, wind and water penetration of the frame in use. An L-shaped or 450 joining corner (not illustrated) can be inserted into the sub seal interior 16 at the ends of the frame. This provides additional strength in use and allows for joining of the frame at the corners of the window or door. Referring to Figure 3 further disclosed is a joining sash 40 in cross-sectional view. The joining sash 40 allows two sliding door or window panels to be joined to each other without requiring a further internal frame. The joining sash 40 has a central section 41. Either side of the central section 41 includes a corrugated or rippled surface 42 which provides a double seal with a brush connecting with the glass door or 4 window panel (not illustrated). The double seal acts to reduce penetration of the frame by wind, noise and water. Referring to Figure 4 details of the sash 10 as shown in Figure 2 are provided. Sash 10 comprises upper section 25, central section 26 and lower section 27. In use when connecting two sliding door or window panels on a single runner, the joining sash 40 is connected with the sash 10 at lower section 27, allowing for the system to join the two sliding door or window panels and allowing them to move along a single runner. This provides for larger glass sections without a frame inserted therebetween. Upper section 25 is adapted to allow a glass or other material panel to be inserted therein. The panel 28 is locked into place in the upper section 25. It can be seen that this provides security in that the panel cannot be removed from the frame. The panel 28 is ordinarily a double glazing glass panel of up to 28mm in thickness. Central section 26 is adapted to allow for a 450 L-shaped joiner to be inserted therein. The joiner is not illustrated. The edge of sash 10 is at a 450 angle to the longitudinal extension of sash 10. It can be seen that this allows for a 450 angle of interlocking which reduces noise, wind and water penetration of the frame. When incorporated with an L-shaped joiner this sash can be sealed to another similar sash for a further frame member with a similar internal profile. Lower section 27 includes ball-bearing running wheel (not illustrated) and is adapted to co-operate with runner 5 to allow the sliding door or window to be moved along the runner 5. Sash 10 further includes rubber seal connection 29 to further reduce water, wind and noise penetration of the frame. In a second embodiment an interlocking sash is shown in Figure 5. Interlocking sash 30 is adapted to be connected with sash 10 through the interior profile of centre section 31. A window or glass panel (not illustrated) is inserted into upper section 32. Interlocking sash 30 includes security mesh attachment means 33 and fly screen connecting means 34 which allow for connection of security mesh (not illustrated) or fly screens (not illustrated) to the frame system. In a second embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the runner 5 of frame system 1 incorporates removable rail 35. This is best shown in Figure 7 in which the rail 35 is removable from the runner 5. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, disclosed is a frame member 1 incorporating a base member 2, runners 5 extending upwardly from the base member 2 by means of neck extensions 6 and a sub-seal section 15. In Figure 6 the interior rail 35 has been removed from the runners 5. This allows for removal of the rail 35 without the need to replace the entire frame system.

5 This is a far more cost effective method of dealing with wear on the sliding door or window runners and rails. It can be seen that the interlocking frame system provides for a limit to the water, wind and noise penetration of the frame. This in turn provides for energy efficient living as heat or cooling internal to the frame system is maintained inside and noise, wind and water kept outside. The rating of the frame is therefore comparable to double glossing postings. While the detailed description has incorporated a frame system with a triple runner or a double runner (as shown in Fig 7), it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that this frame system could be utilized with a variety of runners. The foregoing describes only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that a reference herein to a prior art document does not constitute an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition or further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A frame member for installing sliding doors or windows, the frame member comprising: a base member, the base member including one or more drain holes extending through the base member, one or more longitudinal runners extending upwardly from the base member, a sub-seal positioned below the base member, such that water running through the drain holes drains into the sub-seal, the sub-seal having one or more drain holes allowing water to drain from the sub-seal.

2. A frame member as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more runners is raised.

3. A frame member as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the one or more runners is positioned on a neck extending upwardly from the base member.

4. A frame member as defined in claim 3, wherein the neck includes neck drain holes.

5. A frame member as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sub seal is integral to the frame member.

6. A frame member as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the runners include a rail adapted to allow a running wheel to run thereon.

7. A frame member as defined in claim 6, wherein the rail is removable from the runner.

8. A frame member as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the runner sides are corrugated.

9. A frame system comprising: a frame member as defined in any one of the preceding claims, and, a sash adapted to retain a door or window panel and to cooperate with the runner so as to allow the panel to slide longitudinally along the runner.

10. A frame system as defined in claim 9, wherein the sash includes a running wheel with a curved wheel surface.